Andy Tyler/Flickr. (CC 2.0 by-nc)
In December 2015, Theresa May, the home secretary, announced a new partnership between the Home Office, Polaris, (an anti-trafficking NGO in the United States which runs a national helpline), and Google to create a new modern slavery helpline in the UK to identify trafficked persons. Google will provide £1 million for the start-up costs. As Theresa May explained, “The UK and United States share a determination to free the victims of modern slavery and ensure those guilty of this despicable crime are swiftly brought to justice ... Today’s commitment by Google and Polaris will bring world-class experience and years of expertise to the UK in order to help survivors of modern slavery and stamp out this vile form of exploitation”.
The helpline will be run by the anti-trafficking charity, Unseen. Unseen is a sub-contractor under the Adult Human Trafficking Victim Care and Coordination contract, which is managed by the Salvation Army and funded by the Ministry of Justice and Home Office. Unseen provides safe house accommodation in the south-west of England for women who have been trafficked for sexual exploitation. The new helpline is due to become operational at the end of 2016.
